Florida 03/16/12 news4jax.com: A woman walking her dog while taking out the trash was attacked by a bear at a Seminole County apartment complex, officials say. Terri Gurley, 57, was bitten on the rear end in the attack, which occurred at the Camden Club Apartments on Sabal Lake Drive in Longwood. The area is close to the Wekiva River, near the edge of a state forest that was once bear habitat. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Gurley spotted the bear earlier in the evening, so she waited to take out the trash. After she thought the bear had left, Gurley went outside with her dog, an Akita-German shepherd mix, the FWC said. Officials said Gurley then noticed the bear near a trash bin, and her dog confronted the animal. Gurley tried to run away but fell and was bitten by the bear, which was with its cub, wildlife officials said. Gurley told Local 6 that she rolled over facedown to protect herself after she fell. Gurley was taken to Florida Hospital Altamonte and was later released. The FWC said it will set traps for the bear, which could weigh up to 300 pounds. The bear would be euthanized if it is captured, the FWC said.

White-footed Mouse.

Northeastern United States 03/16/12 sciencedaily.com: The northeastern U.S. should prepare for a surge in Lyme disease this spring. And we can blame fluctuations in acorns and mouse populations, not the mild winter. So reports Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld, a disease ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. What do acorns have to do with illness? Acorn crops vary from year-to-year, with boom-and-bust cycles influencing the winter survival and breeding success of white-footed mice. These small mammals pack a one-two punch: they are preferred hosts for black-legged ticks and they are very effective at transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

Dr. Richard Ostfeld

“We had a boom in acorns, followed by a boom in mice. And now, on the heels of one of the smallest acorn crops we’ve ever seen, the mouse population is crashing,” Ostfeld explains. Adding, “This spring, there will be a lot of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected black-legged ticks in our forests looking for a blood meal. And instead of finding a white-footed mouse, they are going to find other mammals — like us.” For more than two decades, Ostfeld, Cary Institute forest ecologist Dr. Charles D. Canham, and their research team have been investigating connections among acorn abundance, white-footed mice, black-legged ticks, and Lyme disease.

Black-legged Tick.

In 2010, acorn crops were the heaviest recorded at their Millbrook-based research site. And in 2011, mouse populations followed suit, peaking in the summer months. The scarcity of acorns in the fall of 2011 set up a perfect storm for human Lyme disease risk. – For complete article see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120316094452.htm

California 03/15/12 Davis, Yolo County: A 50-pound dog bit a 21-year-old UC Davis student at the Arboretum this past weekend. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office is trying to locate that dog in hopes of preventing post exposure rabies treatment for the victim. They want your help. The female UC Davis student was bitten at the Arboretum on March 10 while trying to pet what she described as a “dark brown, male Terrier,” which was tied up at the time. Anyone having any information regarding this incident or knows who owns this animal, is asked to contact Yolo County Sheriff’s Department, Animal Services Section 24 hours a day at (530) 668-5287 or email animal.bite@yolocounty.org .

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

Don’t Be Afraid – Be Aware!

The Natural Unseen Hazards blog is available to all free of charge and is maintained as a public service.

If you have questions related to pathogens commonly found in wildlife, e.g. the disease caused by a specific pathogen, hosts, vectors, symptoms, treatment, territorial range, etc., please comment here or e-mail to jerrygenesio@gmail.com and I will attempt to provide answers.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Louis Pasteur

Unless otherwise noted, images have been provided by the CDC Public Health Image Library, Wikimedia Commons, the National Park Service or other government agencies, Bing.com, and/or Google.com.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie

"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner Kersee